JAILHOUSE ROCK

"...I was in prison, and ye came unto me." (from Matthew 25:36)

"...upon this rock, I will build my church..." (from Matthew 16:18)

On Wednesday of this week, a group of 7 clergy men and women visited the Framingham state women's prison; which is officially known as "M.C.I. Framingham". I guess I almost could have done this as a guest piece for Michelle McElroy's blog entitled, "This Is Framingham", because along with restaurants, historical sites, businesses, and other places of interest, the state women's prison is certainly a significant chunk of what makes Framingham "Framingham".


We were the guests of The Rev. Lucy Marshall, who is the Protestant Chaplain at M.C.I. Framingham. I've known Lucy and her husband, The Rev. Ben Marshall (who is one of the pastors at Zion MetroWest Church in Framingham's Nobscot section) for over ten years. I consider this African-American couple to be two of "God's Generals" for the community of Framingham. Ben, for instance, works as a Counselor at Walsh Middle School. I described him to a pastor friend as a guy who is "both tough and tender, and who loves people". The same description applies to his wife Lucy.

Lucy Marshall has been Protestant Chaplain there for 9 years. That's a long time for a prison chaplaincy! There's a high degree of burnout among prison chaplains, which is understandable. Lucy knows her limits and does not attempt to take on more responsibilities than she can handle. She also is obviously VERY sensitivity to the moving of the Spirit of God.

We had to provide our legal names and birthdates well in advance so we could be C.O.R.I. checked. There were also strict rules about how we could dress (no sneakers, for instance). We were scheduled to enter the prison around 12 Noon, so we arrived around 11:45. Lucy discovered there had been a clerical error, and most of us had NOT been C.O.R.I. checked. We had to wait an hour for that procedure to be done. While we waited, we conducted some of our regular Framingham Interfaith Clergy Association business, but we also listened as Lucy began to share with us about her prison ministry. Finally, we went through the slow procedure of going through the metal detector and being thoroughly checked, and then getting "on the inside". I had been to M.C.I. Framingham only once before, and that was this past Good Friday for a Good Friday service. Our meeting on Wednesday was in a room not far from the Chaplain's office. We had a nice deli catered meal and soda to drink.
Since we got in very late, we DID have to rush a bit. Even so, we learned quite a bit from Chaplain Marshall.

One of my pastor friends, Brad Watters of Grace Congregational Church, wrote me that he got quite an education from listening to Lucy. In fact, I think we ALL did! She spoke about several areas. One was "boundaries". Not only are visitors never to physically touch an inmate (unless THEY initiate a handshake); visitors are also may NEVER give anything to an inmate or take anything from an inmate.

Sometimes inmates will ask requests such as, "Will you take this letter for me, put a stamp on it and mail it?" That simple request is a big NO-NO!

Lucy told us many volunteers essentially come in with "rose colored glasses" on at first, but quickly understand that the inmates are there for crimes they've committed, and that many will try to "con" them. It takes great patience, love, and wisdom to be a prison volunteer. Even so, volunteers are greatly needed.

Lucy excited told us that God is doing mighty things at M.C.I. Framingham. Many very tough women are receiving Jesus Christ as their Personal Lord and Savior and having their lives transformed. Lucy admitted that some folks are cynical about her work and call the conversions, "jailhouse religion" but Lucy responds to that, "If being in jail is NOT the time to give your heart to Christ, then when IS the time?!"
Jesus is the ROCK who is shaking things up in a positive and miraculous way at M.C.I. Framingham.

Lucy spoke of the need of "after care"; that is, helping women who are released from prison to reintegrate into society. My friend, The Rev. Jim Spence, who was the Protestant Chaplain at Walpole Prison many years ago, founded New England Aftercare Ministries("The Bridge House") located in Framingham, for that very reason. "The Bridge House" is a program for men. Right now, there is very little available for after care for women. There are Bible Studies during the week for interested inmates. There is a mentoring program. Lucy highly recommended the "Angel Tree Project" (which is a ministry of Chuck Colson's "Prison Fellowship") which donates Christmas gifts to inmates' families.

As we walked across the outdoor "quad" (or WHATEVER they call it) on our way out, Pastor Rich Hurst commented to me that seeing inmates in clusters around the quad reminded me of scenes from prison movies. I'd had the same thought. Both Rich and I were impressed with the beautiful greenery, which one does NOT typically see in prison movies!

Well, we had our visit, and then we left. The prison was originally built for 300 inmates. Currently it houses over 700, and Lucy Marshall informed us that at times the population rises to over 1000. It's the only state women's prison for women in Massachusetts. (There ARE some county jails for women.) It would probably make more sense to build a second women's prison somewhere in the Springfield, MA are, the economic reality is that is not likely to happen anytime soon.